I'm a researcher doing my first postdoc in Tokyo Japan. I grew up in Melbourne and moved to Hobart, Tasmania for Uni when I was 18. I lived in Tassie for about 10 years while I finished my undergrad, Hons. and finally obtained a PhD. I study plant genetics and am currently working on the biosynthesis of a plant hormone called Phenylacetic acid, or PAA for short. I've lived in a few different countries, including Canada, Sweden and now Japan, and have really enjoyed the places I've been. My interests really are the great outdoors, I love to explore the wilderness (or anywhere with a trail) and enjoy walking through patches of mud and dirt and snow. I'm also happy to sink hours into video games or terrible shows on Netflix. As mentioned I'm from Melbourne and so I love my coffee (I'm not even a snob about instant) and I'm happy with a beer, some wine or a whiskey and more than willing to share. My Aussie accent is not strong, but that also means you will be able to understand what I say!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My partner has told me so many good things about the Couch Surfing community and I thought I would see for myself. While Airbnb and hotels are a nice way to see a city, they feel impersonal and don't really give a good impression of the people in any given place. I hope that this platform can put me in touch with 'the locals' who can share what they know and are fun to hang out with. If I'm crashing at yours, let me do the dishes and cook you dinner, alternatively we can order a pizza or grab a burger, my shout. If you're at mine, same goes!

Interests

• coffee
• video games
• hiking
• camping
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Beach House, The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Interpol, Bloc Party, The Doors, Creedence, White stripes, Foals, Black keys

Movies: anything action, thrillers, movies with no sequel, Wes Anderson, Westerns, Classics

Books: I'm a fan of the Witcher series, GoT (who isn't?), Bret Easton Ellis. I should read more...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In the first year of my PhD, I had very little data, but I was asked to present my findings at an international conference in China. It was in front of more than 400 people and in the 20mins before my presentation, I think I went to the bathroom more than a dozen times. All I remember was looking out and seeing dozens of flashes from cameras. Surreal experience!

Other contenders:
Skydiving
Getting lost on a mountain in Tassie during a massive storm.

Teach, Learn, Share

While I have a PhD, I'm not sure the topic is super interesting, but I'm happy to teach you about hormone biosynthesis, metabolism and signalling transport. Bonus: I'll even tell you why its important.

I'm happy to listen to politics, tell me whats going on, what affects you and why. I'll listen with a critical ear, offer opposition and challenge what you think (if you want). Otherwise I can soundboard (note: I lean left).
If not politics, tell me about your favorite subject, what do you like that not many people do? what do you hate. Nothing makes friends faster than a mutual hatred of something.

I don't have heaps of recipes to share, but I make pretty good chicken (lime and pepper) or a nice Chilli.
Veggo? No problem, Vegan, hmm, maybe daal?

What I Can Share with Hosts

As above, let me buy/cook you dinner and beer (or wine).
I can share one weird thing, which is that I actually enjoy doing dishes, especially when the company is good.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Czech Republic, Finland, Netherlands, Norway

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Canada, Japan, Sweden